That’s an American point of view. Here in Britain there are pretty much only two main classes: aristocracy and dirty peasants. Doesn’t matter what you do and how rich you are, if your ancestors didn’t sit at the round table - you’re a peasant.
I don’t think most people would restrict “middle class” to only those who can live off their investments.
We have a much more complicated relationship with class in the UK which is not well reflected by the language we use, that’s certainly true. We often determine what class someone “is” by their social status and cultural interests moreso than the Marxist way. I read an article some time ago which identified 7 classes separated both by cultural and economic capital… This is closer to the reality in the UK imo.
I don’t think that’s true. There’s definitely the three classes, but many people believe they’re middle class when they’re not.
It’s basically impossible to become upper class. I think I read somewhere that it takes 3 or 4 successive generations at somewhere like Eton to be considered upper class.
That’s an American point of view. Here in Britain there are pretty much only two main classes: aristocracy and dirty peasants. Doesn’t matter what you do and how rich you are, if your ancestors didn’t sit at the round table - you’re a peasant.
There are 4 in the UK.
The upper class aka the aristocracy. Born into money and titles.
Middle class. Rich enough to live purely off their investments, don’t need to work, but also don’t the the old blood titles.
*Upper working class (what the media likes calling the middle class). Lives well, but reliant on a job income.
The bottom 2 are peasants. The 2nd are "vaguely acceptable breeding stock/upstart peasants.
I don’t think most people would restrict “middle class” to only those who can live off their investments.
We have a much more complicated relationship with class in the UK which is not well reflected by the language we use, that’s certainly true. We often determine what class someone “is” by their social status and cultural interests moreso than the Marxist way. I read an article some time ago which identified 7 classes separated both by cultural and economic capital… This is closer to the reality in the UK imo.
I don’t think that’s true. There’s definitely the three classes, but many people believe they’re middle class when they’re not.
It’s basically impossible to become upper class. I think I read somewhere that it takes 3 or 4 successive generations at somewhere like Eton to be considered upper class.